I had been gone since November 5 to southern CA where I was awaiting the "pending" birth of my first great grandson (who decided to wait until the 19th and by then I was home a day) and had 2004 messages awaiting plus 41 when I finished those. But I don't know if this might be the problem or not but one of the messages had a "vbs" ending and the harddrive reacted on overtime useage, more or less. The next morning I was unable to get into Netscape, no matter what I did, and since I also had IE Outlook Express I was able to get messages. I also have JUNO for any back up. I e-mailed OzNet and they thought I might have a bad spool thread but after completing my explanation thought I should call MicroSoft. Since I don't use a telephone due to hearing problems I asked for an e-mail address. They gave me a bunch of options and none anygood since I can't get onto the internet (except Outlook Express). I checked what I could think of and not being a computer guru of any nature, I did find that in my MY COMPUTER it was completely blank. Does this sound like something I "really" could fix or do I need to "hire" someone to come in to fix it. I have a COMPAQ 5250 I think it is without looking, 8 harddrive, 128 whatever, and lots of space so it's not that. Also Windows98. Thanks for any help and/or any advice. If there is anyone from the Tacoma, WA area on the list that knows of anyone who can come to my home and work on it (or take it out) as I have had no luck with any that I have had before. Don't seem to want to return the calls (my daughter does this for me when she comes over). Antoinette waughtel@oz.net